Brilliant fall colors brighten the scenery next to the Blackstone River
What fun to bring a friend to the Blackstone Greenway who had never seen the views from all the bridges on this railtrail before. Depending on where you start (and construction keeps changing this) there are about eight bridges on this section of railtrail from Blackstone to Millville. Granted, several of the bridges transport you over roads, but that simply means you have less to worry about as you walk or bike–very few grade crossings exist on this trail.
A stunning foliage day along the Blackstone Greenway
The foliage has been hanging on even through a recent storm, extending the season beyond the typical two weeks we can normally expect to enjoy the extravagant display of bright colors. The flashes of color everywhere I turn take my breath away.
Peering down into the river through masses of color
And the views from the bridges along the Blackstone River in Blackstone are particularly lovely.
Checking out a trailside discovery
Christine brought her home-schooled children along with us, so every step turned into an explore, with questions and observations about the world around us. Wooly bear caterpillars on the trail were scooted off into the grass. Worms flushed out from the past night’s rain never made it back to safety and dried out in the sun. Maple keys (seeds) make fun art projects, and so lots of these seeds got collected as we walked as well.
Christine found a sleepy bumble bee on fall asters
Christine is a birder, so the few birds we saw (and the others we heard) she quickly identified for us.
Up close with the sleepy bumble bee
I love having folks along who can help open up the world around me.
Enjoying views from the Triad Bridge. The third railroad bridge abutment is almost dead center, just ot the left of the railtrail bridge
We walked all the way to the Triad Bridge, a distance of little over a mile. The clouds cleared, and the colors were vibrant in the sunlight.
Views from the Triad bridge. Cement abutments are in the river, just to the right of the yellow foliage
We talked a little about the history of the railroad that never got finished, the Grand Trunk Railroad. The kids picked out the footings in the river, infrastructure for the railroad that was planned. My feet were wearing out, so we turned back and headed for home. A simple walk becomes an adventurous explore when children are added into the mix. Happy Trails!
Marjorie
Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors, and is the author of Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, More Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, Easy Walks and Paddles in the Ten Mile River Watershed, and Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are. Her memoir, the backstory of Easy Walks, is My Liturgy of Easy Walks: Reclaiming hope in a world turned upside down.
Marjorie Turner Hollman 